Fire! (Again...)

[shiredancer]

Oh, crap. I *thought* fire season was over; I *thought* we were heading into some cozy, cool weather at last. Well, I thought wrong. The hills above Santa Barbara and Montecito are on fire. Again. This is much worse than the summer fire -- many homes are burning. Several of Kidlet's friends' homes have been evacuated, I'm sure. I hope none of them have been lost. Her high school is an emergency Red Cross shelter for these events -- I wonder if they realize the fall play is going on tonight, and if they will be able to work around the already-crowded parking lot?

There are a thousand students hunkered down in the gym at Westmont College, with the fire burning around them. The gym is fireproof and a declared refuge during emergencies; still, if I were the parent of one of those students, I'd be frantic with worry.

A state of emergency has been declared. There are high winds up in the hills, 70 miles per hour and more ("almost hurricane force!" the media keep saying) and it's shaping up to be a long night for the firefighters and other emergency personnel. There are two burn victims at the hospital. This is looking bad.

It has the bizarre name of the Tea Fire, so-called because it started "near the Tea House." This is said blandly by the news reporters, as if we all of course know what the Tea House is. Now, I've been here 36 years and can't figure it out. Unless they mean the little tea house on the grounds of the Botanical Garden? O_o That would be bad.

juneb, if you read this -- the area burning is all along the back country drive we took when you visited two summers ago. Remember Mountain Drive? Yeah, there.

*goes back to biting nails*

ETA: oops, didn't mean to get quite so dramatic -- Westmont College isn't engulfed in fire or anything, but there are several small fires on campus and nearby. With luck they'll all get put out.

Comments

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

GEEZUBUZ!!! FIRE? In mid-November???!!!???

My alternate choice for college was Westmont. I'm familiar with the area. Wow, that's a bad bunch of fuel around those buildings. After two drought years, it's probably tinder-dry, even with the couple showers we've had move through the state.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all, my dear. I hope all turns out well and people stay safe.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

I know -- it's way too late in the year for fire! We're all taken aback. It was in the low 80s today and the wind kicked up -- sundowner. Always a deadly combination.

Heh, for some reason I thought you might know Westmont! No further news of the fires growing there, so we'll hope for the best. The Riviera, though... the fire is moving up on Las Alturas and APS. Damn.

Thanks for the good thoughts -- I'll hold onto them.

[maaaaa.livejournal.com]

Wow...I really just can't imagine how scary that must be. Fires like that are something we just don't have to contend with here. Take care and stay safe babe...I'm sending good thoughts. *hugs*

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Hey hon, what are you doing up so late? You're at least two hours ahead of me!

We're so used to the fires. Out here, it's part of the ecology -- it's how many of the plants reproduce. They need the fire to explode them and release their seed pods. Weird, huh? Anyway, there are rarely injuries related to the fires -- property loss, yeah. If you're smart, you grab your valuables fast and get out. Some insist on trying to stay to water down their property, and sometimes they get hurt. I have my evacuation list all planned out and handy: Kidlet, pets, important papers, photos, paintings, irreplaceable books, treasured recipes. Heh. And my guitars if there's time, and maybe even some clothes!

Now, tornadoes -- that, I couldn't deal with. Too hit or miss!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Just the thought of fires like that make me shudder. Just take care of yourself, ok? ::worries::

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Sorry, Snailie -- didn't mean to make you worry! I'm well away from the fire zone where I live, so I'm quite safe. The fire is now (hopefully) just about out -- the winds cooperated today. It's an amazing amount of destruction in a short time, though.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

So glad you're well clear! We finally got film of the fires on TV here last night and it looks terrible. So much destruction caused so quickly. I grump about living in a damp country, but there are a few side benefits.

Take care though - you sound so calm, but I still worry *g*

[vamysteryfan.livejournal.com]

Yikes! Stay safe out there!

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

I'm on the other side of the city, so quite safe -- thanks! We think (hope) the fire is almost out now.

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Oh, Sally, how awful! ::hugs tightly:: I hope everyone stays safe.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

*Hugs back* I'm safe, don't worry -- I'm on the far side of town and well away from the fire zone. And with luck, it's almost out now. Fast, but furious at the time.

[snycock.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow, that sounds scary! I'll be thinking safe thoughts for you and all your loved ones...

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Jen! I'm safe though, on the other side of town and quite a way from the danger zone. Things are improving today, but it was big last night.

[aslowhite.livejournal.com]

Heard about this on the radio this morning, and thought of you.

Still am.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Thank you -- I appreciate the good thoughts! Fortunately I'm on the other side of the city away from the fire and am quite safe. We're hoping it's just about out now -- and now there's one springing up in L.A. *sigh* Rare for fires to happen this late in the year.

[aslowhite.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was surprised to hear the news story. Has it been really dry this autumn? More than usual, I mean? (And if so, would you like some of this endless rain we have here in Maryland?)

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, please, do send that rain this way! It *has* been dry, and we're having a god-awful heat wave. In the 80s in November! It's... not autumn-like at all. Wah!

[juneb.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize until this weekend, that the fires were so close to you. I'm glad you're on the other side of it, I was worried about you and the family.
I do remember that beautiful drive you took me on overlooking that gorgeous view. I know fire is necessary for renewing the land but it breaks my heart when I think of the destruction of all that beauty. Wish I could've sent some of our weekend rain out your way....(miss you guys!)

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Hi June! Yes, it's so sad about that gorgeous stretch of roadway and views. Even more sad to learn that a bunch of college students inadvertantly started it -- they thought they put their campfire out completely, but all it takes is a few sparks when a sundowner wind kicks up.

So if you come again to visit in 2009 for Moonridge, I'll have to take you for a drive in a different location -- that's all. Are you starting to make any plans??

[juneb.livejournal.com]

Moonridge 2009.....hmmm is that an invitation?? LOL definitely something I am thinking about. Are you up for another sojourn??

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely up for it! Although I have to say, it's only been a glimmer in my mind so far -- I haven't started looking into time off work or anything like that. I'm not quite ready to make a solid commitment to it yet, because that's the summer we'll be visiting some colleges with Kidlet and I need to figure out what we're doing when (and sadly, what we can afford in the current economic climate). So we'll have to keep in touch as plans develop, and keep an ear out for where people are staying, etc. I can tell you one thing -- no more belly dances! Next time I want to just hang out and have fun.

[juneb.livejournal.com]

Oh I hear you loud and clear. I am just trying to make it through this year but I will definitely keep in touch and let you know. I would definitely like to spend more time there....I think I need to win lotto.LOL